Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Server

JAMES ENGQUIST

Restaurant Manager
Prineville,OR

Summary

  • Highly accomplished Restaurant Manager, with experience in fine dining and full service fast casual restaurants, including several grand openings and a concept change. Awards include "Assistant General Manager of the Year" and numerous acknowledgments for increasing sales and customer satisfaction.
  • Driven leader with strong problem-solving and customer service skills. Dedicated to providing highest level of service to customers and creating pleasant work environment for staff. Knowledgeable in food safety and sanitation protocols.

Work History

Restaurant Manager

Darden Restaurants Yard House
Phoenix, AZ
06.2011 - Current
  • Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
  • Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
  • Inspected equipment and machinery for proper working condition and directed staff to clean and repair as needed.
  • Met, greeted and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
  • Successfully opened new location
  • Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.

The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla
04.2008 - 01.2009
  • Responsible for entire operation of fine dining restaurant
  • Trained and developed front of house managers and hourly staff
  • Maintained high level of service standards and food quality
  • Set and maintained budget per review of P&L statements
  • Over saw concept change from Coastal Cuisine to Prime Steakhouse
  • Successfully implemented training program of new hires and existing employees
  • Worked with sommelier and chef in creating and maintaining Wine Spectator Award winning wine list
  • Motivated and inspired staff of over 60, to uphold and maintain a high level of service that was consistent with a fine dining concept
  • Spear headed community marketing campaign to promote new bar/lounge happy hour resulting in a 30% increase in sales
  • Reinstated hotel concierge referral program, which directly led to an average 15% increase in monthly tracked customer counts.

Assistant General Manager

The Brigantine Restaurant Corp, Azul La Jolla, Restaurant
04.2002 - 04.2008
  • Successfully managed staffs that averaged 60
  • Responsibilities included: interviewing, scheduling, processing all HR documents, oversaw training of new employees, assisted in training of new managers
  • Refined personnel management and development skill set
  • Worked with different concepts and types of cuisine
  • Accountable for scheduling that maintained balance between volume of business, standards of service and projected labor costs
  • Managed service staff, maintained high level of presentation and guest satisfaction
  • Selected to co-lead high energy, interactive companywide "New Hire" Orientation classes of 40 plus, occurring every 6 weeks
  • Awarded Brigantine Co

Bar Manager/Restaurant Manager

The Brigantine Restaurant Corp
03.1999 - 04.2002
  • Supervised full service lounge and patio in fine dining coastal restaurant
  • Promoted and developed to manage company "Flagship" restaurant that quickly resulted in full supervision of fine dining service standards and gourmet food presentation
  • Set up bar for opening of new restaurant
  • Developed local regular clientele in competitive market
  • Charged with bartender scheduling
  • Ordered liquor, wine and bar supplies
  • Assisted general manager in ordering fine wines
  • Trained new bartenders and maintained proper portion control
  • Assisted management staff in monthly inventory.

Bar Manager

The Ladeki Restaurant Group, Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar
10.1998 - 05.1999
  • Set up bar and scheduled bartenders for opening of new “Asian Fusion” concept restaurant
  • Ran dining room during preview and grand opening parties

Head Bartender & Floor Supervisor

The Hard Rock Cafe International
05.1985 - 01.1999
  • Chosen for opening staff of Chicago, La Jolla and San Diego locations
  • Participated in training, bar set up, scheduling and inventory of high volume concept restaurant.

Education

General Studies/ Communication

Southern Illinois University

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Columbia College Radio & T.V

Skills

  • SOFTWARE/SYSTEM SKILLS
  • MS Word and Excel
  • Aloha and Micros POS, Open Table
  • Staff Development Talent
  • Conflict Resolution Techniques
  • Food Preparation and Safety
  • Hiring and Training
  • Employee Schedule Management
  • Shift Management
  • Complaint Resolution
  • Food and Beverage Orders
  • Managing Reservations and Large Parties
  • Disciplinary Action

Timeline

Restaurant Manager

Darden Restaurants Yard House
06.2011 - Current

The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla
04.2008 - 01.2009

Assistant General Manager

The Brigantine Restaurant Corp, Azul La Jolla, Restaurant
04.2002 - 04.2008

Bar Manager/Restaurant Manager

The Brigantine Restaurant Corp
03.1999 - 04.2002

Bar Manager

The Ladeki Restaurant Group, Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar
10.1998 - 05.1999

Head Bartender & Floor Supervisor

The Hard Rock Cafe International
05.1985 - 01.1999

General Studies/ Communication

Southern Illinois University

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Columbia College Radio & T.V

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JAMES ENGQUISTRestaurant Manager